ewenix

We had no issues with customs at port canaveral last month. Took about 20 minutes from the point we left the ship to standing outside the terminal, including finding our luggage.

As already mentioned the birth cert and DL work, however unless that was a typo you have about 10 months to renew.

I wonder how that works with advance purchase. It's 15% less to purchase in advance

I just recently purchased in advance a package for myself and a different one for my son. We're in the same cabin and I made the purchase for both packages in a single transaction.

I could be wrong but aren't the passport cards only an additional item to get when you buy your passport...meaning I don't believe you can buy the card unless you buy the passport but I could be wrong??????

You can get just the card without the passport book. There is a family joining us on our next cruise and they went with that option due to the price. ($55 vs $135 per person)

It will be hard to get in your cabin ,when you won't have the key/card . The room card is no longer given to you when you check in ,, They are put in your mail box when the cabin is ready ,,The door is locked until that time

I haven't sailed Carnival since 2016. On the Breeze back then we still got a S&S card at check in.

Are all Carnival ships not giving these at check in now?

I'm curious, how do they manage the boarding process? Previously they required you to

show your card to 19 people on the way up to the ship then they scanned it when you board.

I don't think a photocopy of a passport would help you any more than a driver's license at the US embassy if your original passport is in your cabin.

 

If you look at the link provided (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/lost-stolen-passport-abroad.html) it says "lost or stolen" not "sitting in your cabin".....

You're welcome to think whatever you like on the subject. You stated that it was silly and "doesn't work that way."

I provided you a link to the authority on the subject stating that they recommend you have a photo copy.

Actually the copy of the passport isn't proof of citizenship either. They say that it makes the process easier, but the previous poster was correct that they can find a traveler's information in their database relatively easily.

I didn't say it was proof. I said it was evidence. Which is what it is called on the Dept. of State site, please refer to the link I posted.

TAFA "it helps officials if you are stranded" argument. Nah, that's not the way it works. Go to any US Embassy with a photo ID and provide your SSN. They can find you in their system in seconds. Do you really think they would say "Well, if f you had a copy of your passport, you'd be on your way right now..., but since all you have is your driver's license, this will take a while...."

Silly in that the US Department of State says you should have it.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/lost-stolen-passport-abroad.html

The photo ID is not evidence of US citizenship, which is what the Department of State says is the reason for the passport copy.

You can still get back without it, but you may be waiting longer while they prove you are a citizen.

How so?

So it seems like you should wait until final payment is paid and pay the higher price to avoid any problems. IYHO

One shouldn't have to worry about when they purchase any product. Maybe it's a marketing ploy?

Bill

The problem isn't buying the package, the problem is using OBC to buy the package.

(Perhaps I should also clarify that I'm specifically referring to OBC that was given based on the purchase of a specific cabin.)

If you use that OBC before final payment then you've essentially tied your drink package price to your cabin.

In the event that you try to change cabins or take advantage of a price drop, the cabin gets repriced along with your OBC that you've already used.

You do what you want, I'm just saying to avoid problems I'd recommend people don't use the OBC for purchases until final payment if they have any expectation of a cabin change or price drop.

IMHO, using OBC to purchase a drink package before final payment is just asking for problems.

I think they might increase the vouchers from 3 to unlimited during the Happy Hours???

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I'd rather they just give me 40% off the Deluxe drink package.

Especially since they seem to think those drinks are worth $12. The 40% discount would be

less than the supposed value of 3 sea pass drinks. Plus I won't be crowding the DL.

Seems like a win/win.

Think of this. If you have a bartender, and ask them if they wish there were more people serving, they would say no, because it would mean, a lesser cut in the tip pool.

Yes, this is exactly why people are complaining. The bartender already gets the 18% from the package, and there is no incentive for them to work faster, nor do they want other bartenders or servers. This means reduced service to the customer.

The ratio between drinker, and server, is completely different than the good old days when you would have 1 or two drinks, instead of 4 or 5.

 

Good ole days = less drinks per person, bigger ratio customer/worker

Today = more drinks per person, smaller ratio customer/worker

That may be true for you, but I don't think you can make that statement comparing a cross section of passengers today versus one from 15 years ago.

I used to order more drinks than I wanted in the 'good ole days.' They used to give you those glasses that changed style every day and if I liked them I needed at least a set of 4. I used to board the plane home with 2 carry on bags full of glasses that I was trying not to break.

People will work less, if the managers don't watch.

If the server got the bulk of their income paid the way it used to be, per drink instead of a pooled amount from package sales then you don't need a manager to watch them closely. The more they work the more they earn, and vise versa.

If she likes that I think it's fantastic. I hope you both enjoy your evening! If you make that effort to dress up, commemorate it with a nice photo either on your own or by a ship photographer.

We were just on the Adventure and our waiter said I only needed to ensure I was wearing pants, shoes and a shirt even for the formal night. He said pretty much anything goes for the women. (We always ask the first night in the mdr. It's been one of the most consistent answers I ever gotten from royal Caribbean employees.)

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Do these people think they are above the rules? What happens if they have a formal event to attend, something for work or a wedding? Or, God forbid, a loved one passes away? Would they show up to the service in shorts?

 

I understand the argument of one not being able to afford a suit. But if you can afford to go on a cruise, you can afford a suit. I have a suit that I got off the rack at JC Penney, on sale with a coupon. Took it to a tailor for alterations and when all was said and done, I spent less than $200.

I'd just like to officially make the public proclamation here on cruise critic, that upon the event of my death anyone who wishes to attend the funeral is welcome to attend while wearing shorts, flip flops, or swimwear. Anyone showing up in a tuxedo will be forced to serve drinks to the other attendees after the service.

I haven't heard anything about the Condado lagoon being toxic. I know there was some spillage immediately after the storm because the sewer pumps failed, but that has since been resolved.

My wife mentioned to our taxi driver on Nov 18th that there were a lot of runners out the night before and earlier that morning. The driver said that more people were running lately instead of swimming because of some parasite in the water that was making people ill.

We saw plenty of people in the water on the condado beach area, but none in the lagoon. YMMV when it comes to advice from taxi drivers. :-)

11:36 am? I guess I'm going to miss my flight then. Were you one of the first people off, because that's my intention. Not to CASUALLY walk off with my stuff but to hustle when the announcement that customs is cleared is made.

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On 11/25 we were in group number 15 and sitting in the MDR at 8:30am. Our number was called, we disembarked and found our bags, waited in the non-porter CBE line, got a taxi and were at the airport by 9:30am.

We checked into La Concha yesterday. It was operating as normal and there were quite a few tourists, but clearly outnumbered by the relief workers.

We took a taxi to OSJ and ate dinner. I didn't see any shops open in OSJ but it was dark when we finished eating. There were plenty of bars and restaurants open. Lots of shops open along Ashford where La concha and condado vanderbuilt are located.

I just called Embassy Suites and they said my January 6th reservation is still confirmed. Should I be worried?

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I would definitely have at least one backup reservation.

But I'd also keep that and call to verify about once a week when you're a month out. Note that they are not allowing any online booking at that hotel until March 31st 2018.

I just called Embassy Suites and they said my January 6th reservation is still confirmed. Should I be worried?

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I would definitely have at least one backup reservation.

But I'd also keep that and call to verify about once a week when you're a month out. Note that they are not allowing any online booking at that hotel until March 31st 2018.

I am thinking about bringing my xbox on my allure cruise this week so I can play the new released Call of Duty game. Is wifi / voom good enough to play xbox multiplayer games online? No need to bash me for playing video games on the cruise. Its therapy for when the Misses wont get up for breakfast until late, or when she's taking forever to get ready, and good way to block her out after she starts an argument. Its either this or drink myself to death with my beverage package. ;p

My son took his on the Oasis last year. Just need power and an HDMI cable to hook up to the TV.

We found it was easiest to connect to the wifi with his phone then put it in airplane mode and then on the xbox spoof the mac address of the phone. Trying to join the wifi via xbox directly was a struggle.

Now that said, I'd tell you not to bother if you're wanting to play call of duty.

While the bandwidth is decent, the latency is incredibly high compared to playing at home and the latency introduces a terrible lag on FPS games. If you wanted the xbox for movies, or some other non-FPS game I'd tell you to go for it, but I really don't think you'll be happy with game performance.

Interesting ... I was kind of surprised to see El Convento on that list. We have a reservation with them for March and that's a pretty pricey hotel for FEMA to be paying for! Happy to have my tax dollars going to help people in need, but I do question them using hotels at the higher end of the price scale :eek:

 

I think you may be correct!

I doubt they're paying the same rate that leisure guest would be paying. I've seen a couple articles about the FEMA reimbursement rate being $167/night.

Interesting ... I was kind of surprised to see El Convento on that list. We have a reservation with them for March and that's a pretty pricey hotel for FEMA to be paying for! Happy to have my tax dollars going to help people in need, but I do question them using hotels at the higher end of the price scale :eek:

 

I think you may be correct!

I doubt they're paying the same rate that leisure guest would be paying. I've seen a couple articles about the FEMA reimbursement rate being $167/night.

Sheraton Old San Juan cancelled our reservations today. Non personalized, canned letter. Claimed it was due to hurricane damage. I think that is what really pushed my buttons most - Sheraton is housing responders and FEMA - it’s not because of damage, so why lie....

Anyway, it was for mid-December, and again in January. They did not even specify which reservation they were cancelling.

I do not believe this hotel situation is going to improve anytime soon.

San Juan is really NOT ready for tourism past (at best) port stops. It is not ready for tourists to stay there. JMHO

I got the same deal from Embassy Suites when they called me and cancelled last week. I pressed her 3 times before she admitted they were in fact open and operating but using the rooms for fema workers and such. I had already called a week before and was straight up told they were closed until december 15th for any leisure travelers, but it was annoying that they're implying I cannot stay there because of damage to the hotel.

She further annoyed me by saying that I can call 800-HILTONS and they would book me in another hilton property. I'd already called and was told there were no rooms available in any San Juan area hilton property.

I'm very empathetic to the situation in PR, but the way some businesses are handling it is not good. (It may be better in the long run for the local hotels who will lose business to people who would previously only have stayed at big name chains.)

Sheraton Old San Juan cancelled our reservations today. Non personalized, canned letter. Claimed it was due to hurricane damage. I think that is what really pushed my buttons most - Sheraton is housing responders and FEMA - it’s not because of damage, so why lie....

Anyway, it was for mid-December, and again in January. They did not even specify which reservation they were cancelling.

I do not believe this hotel situation is going to improve anytime soon.

San Juan is really NOT ready for tourism past (at best) port stops. It is not ready for tourists to stay there. JMHO

I got the same deal from Embassy Suites when they called me and cancelled last week. I pressed her 3 times before she admitted they were in fact open and operating but using the rooms for fema workers and such. I had already called a week before and was straight up told they were closed until december 15th for any leisure travelers, but it was annoying that they're implying I cannot stay there because of damage to the hotel.

She further annoyed me by saying that I can call 800-HILTONS and they would book me in another hilton property. I'd already called and was told there were no rooms available in any San Juan area hilton property.

I'm very empathetic to the situation in PR, but the way some businesses are handling it is not good. (It may be better in the long run for the local hotels who will lose business to people who would previously only have stayed at big name chains.)

We are sailing on Adventure November 18th 2017.

 

We are currently booked on Southwest to fly into SJU - our Southwest flight is scheduled to arrive at 12:45pm.

However, I am wondering if we would be better off flying in on the 17th and booking a hotel for the night before.

 

Also, our return flight on the 25th is at 11AM - do you think we'll have any issues making that flight on time??

 

Thanks for the advice

We're on that sailing as well. Normally flying in a day before is the safer bet, but in this case you're going to have a hard time finding a hotel room. If you decide to fly in a day earlier, speak to someone at the hotel first and confirm you have a room before you change the flight. That said, barring any weather or equipment related delays you should be fine to arrive the day of embarkation at 12:45pm.

The one I'd change is the 11am departure on the way home. Assuming no ship related delays, the ship clears customs in a reasonable time, and you have a low disembarkation number (or do self disembarkation) then you'll be fine.

FYI. If you've not sailed out of puerto rico before, arriving at the airport after the sailing you will have to put your luggage through a agriculture scanner and get a sticker on each bag before you check in with the airline. Just an extra step to you may not know about that adds a little more time.